Lighting Duration And Schedule.

[Aqua Andy]

Hi everyone,

I just wondered if you wouldn't mind posting what your aquarium lighting durations and schedules are, and the reasons why. I'm going to put my lights on an electric timer, and I'm researching what would be the optimum settings.

Factors for me are:

How much daylight my fish need,
How much sleep they need,
I don't have live plants,
Algae growth. I remember reading somewhere, probably a post on this site, that algae need 4 or 5 hours of continuos light to grow,
and I have a cold cathode moonlight.

I was thinking of lights on for 5 hours from 17:00 to 22:00, then an hour of cold cathode weekdays, and an additional 5 hour period on weekends from 10:00 to 15:00.

Is that enough light for the fish during the week? I'm not around during the day and I was thinking that the less lighting during the week would restrict algae growth. The tank is by no means dark when unlit, but I keep it out of direct sunlight to limit algae growth. Would the two light periods on a week day have a detrimental effect on the fish?


Andy

 

[MojoDex]

if you have no plants you dont actually need light the fish wont care if there in the dark, just picture the waters most fish come from very few are crystal clear.

the light will be purley for viewing the fish so if i were you id invest in the bit extra for a digital timer and just programe it to be on when your in

 

[plaskotki]

Hi everyone,

I just wondered if you wouldn't mind posting what your aquarium lighting durations and schedules are, and the reasons why. I'm going to put my lights on an electric timer, and I'm researching what would be the optimum settings.

Factors for me are:

How much daylight my fish need,
How much sleep they need,
I don't have live plants,
Algae growth. I remember reading somewhere, probably a post on this site, that algae need 4 or 5 hours of continuos light to grow,
and I have a cold cathode moonlight.

I was thinking of lights on for 5 hours from 17:00 to 22:00, then an hour of cold cathode weekdays, and an additional 5 hour period on weekends from 10:00 to 15:00.

Is that enough light for the fish during the week? I'm not around during the day and I was thinking that the less lighting during the week would restrict algae growth. The tank is by no means dark when unlit, but I keep it out of direct sunlight to limit algae growth. Would the two light periods on a week day have a detrimental effect on the fish?


Andy

Hi there,
The light in my tank comes on at 8am and it comes off at 9pm. I don't have a problem with extensive algae growth.
Hope that helps.
plaskotki

 

[Matty P]

My lights come on at 12 noon and turn off at 10:30pm. (live plants)

 

[Jabba]

On when I get up, actinic only after 8pm then off completely at bed time - coz I hate a black hole in the corner ... I want some algae growth - fresh munch for the algae eaters. When I travel they are never on.

A lot depends where your tank is, how much natural light it gets and if you have live plants (which you don't).

The cold cathode you have may or may not bother the fish, it is probably not that bright intended more for aesthetics.